Engineering Program Lead - Silicon Photonics (Teradyne, North Reading, MA)

We are the global test and automation specialists, powering next-generation technologies through sophisticated solutions. Behind every electronic device you use, Teradyne's test technology ensures your device works right the first time, every time! Our portfolio of automation solutions help manufacturers to develop and deliver products quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Together, Teradyne companies deliver manufacturing automation across industries and applications around the world!

We attract, develop, and retain a high-performance workforce, comprised of people with diverse backgrounds and a shared drive for excellence. We strive to foster a positive and inclusive work environment that helps employees, and communities, thrive.

Our Purpose 
TERADYNE, where experience meets innovation and driving excellence in every connection. We are fueled by creativity and diversity of thought and in our workforce. Our employees are supported to innovate and learn something new every day.

We cultivate a culture of inclusion for all employees that respects their individual strengths, views, and experiences. We believe that our differences enable us to be a better team – one that makes better decisions, drives innovation and delivers better business results.

Opportunity Overview

Teradyne is seeking an experienced Engineering Program Lead to lead the technical execution of next-generation Silicon Photonics test and measurement platforms. This senior individual contributor will serve as the technical authority for complex, multidisciplinary programs—aligning architecture, requirements, risk management, integration, and execution from concept through production.

Working across mechanical, electrical, software, systems, thermal, optical, and manufacturing engineering, this leader will partner with project managers, functional managers, operations, suppliers, and customers to drive technical excellence and delivery through influence rather than direct people management.

Why This Role Matters

Teradyne’s Silicon Photonics platforms support testing for advanced optical and semiconductor technologies. As product complexity grows, this role will align engineering disciplines around a clear technical vision and development strategy to improve performance, manufacturability, reliability, cost, scalability, and delivery.

As Engineering Program Lead, you will:

• Lead technical strategy and decision-making for major product development programs.
• Align multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders on architecture, requirements, priorities, and execution.
• Identify and mitigate technical and integration risks early.
• Partner with program management to build realistic plans, schedules, and resource strategies.
• Deliver integrated, high-performance solutions across hardware, software, optics, controls, and manufacturing.
• Help shape Teradyne’s Silicon Photonics product portfolio.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Product Development

• Own technical execution from concept through production release, serving as the primary technical decision-maker and escalation point.
• Define and communicate the technical vision, product architecture, and development strategy.
• Align mechanical, electrical, software, systems, optical, thermal, and manufacturing engineering teams.
• Lead trade studies, architecture evaluations, design decisions, and risk mitigation.
• Ensure products meet performance, reliability, quality, manufacturability, serviceability, cost, and schedule goals.
• Guide prototype development, system integration, verification, validation, and production readiness, providing hands-on problem-solving during critical phases.

Systems Thinking & Technical Ownership

• Own system-level technical performance and engineering execution.
• Ensure subsystem requirements are defined, allocated, traced, validated, and integrated effectively.
• Balance performance, cost, reliability, manufacturability, and schedule in system-level tradeoffs.
• Lead technical readiness assessments and confirm engineering maturity at phase-gate milestones.
• Identify and resolve technical risks, dependencies, and integration challenges before they affect delivery.

Program Technical Execution

• Partner with program and project managers on schedules, staffing, resources, cost estimates, budgets, dependencies, and constraints.
• Monitor technical progress, surface issues early, and drive resolution of critical challenges.
• Lead design reviews, readiness reviews, and phase-gate assessments.
• Promote disciplined product development and risk management practices.
• Coordinate with engineering functional managers to align the right expertise and resources with program needs.

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead through technical expertise, influence, and collaboration rather than formal authority.
• Build consensus and coordinate communication across engineering, operations, supply chain, quality, and business teams.
• Mentor technical contributors and promote engineering rigor, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Customer & External Engagement

• Engage customers on requirements, capabilities, roadmaps, and development priorities, translating business needs into clear technical objectives.
• Support supplier design reviews and technical issue resolution.
• Communicate technical status, risks, tradeoffs, and recommendations to senior leaders and key stakeholders.
• Represent engineering in strategic program discussions and executive reviews.

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with applicable regulatory, safety, and industry standards.
• Champion design quality, reliability, and manufacturability throughout development.
• Improve engineering processes, product performance, and development efficiency.

All About You
We seek individuals who share our passion and determination. Our commitment to customer success drives us to go the extra mile. If you’re ready to join us in this mission, take a closer look at the minimum criteria for the position.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 10+ years of experience developing complex, multidisciplinary products.
• Demonstrated success leading major engineering programs from concept through production release.
• Deep expertise in at least one engineering discipline and the ability to work effectively across others.
• Experience guiding multidisciplinary teams through prototyping, integration, verification, validation, and production release.
• Ability to drive technical alignment and decisions across matrixed, cross-functional organizations without direct authority.
• Strong systems thinking, problem-solving, communication, and presentation skills.
• Ability to balance technical depth with program-level strategic thinking.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• Experience with semiconductor equipment, silicon photonics, optical instrumentation, automated test equipment, robotics, capital equipment, or advanced manufacturing systems.
• Experience leading platform-level product development using structured or phase-gate methodologies.
• Experience working with globally distributed engineering teams.
• Knowledge of relevant industry and regulatory standards, including ISO, CE, SEMI, and NFPA.

Compensation:
The base salary range for this role is $153,600-$245,900. This range is a good faith estimate, and the amount of base salary will correspond with experience and skill set. This range can also fluctuate depending on demand and location.

Incentive Plan: This job is eligible for discretionary bonus(es) based on financial performance.

Benefits:

Teradyne offers a variety of robust health and well-being benefit programs, including medical, dental, vision, Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance, paid vacation & holidays, tuition assistance programs, and more.  Please click here to see details.

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